Nottm Forest vs Crystal Palace ends 1-1 at The City Ground

Introduction — Why this Premier League meeting mattered

The Premier League fixture between nottm forest vs crystal palace attracted attention as a mid-season clash with implications for momentum and morale. Played at The City Ground on Sunday 1 February 2026 (14:00 UTC), the match was relevant to supporters and neutrals alike because it pitted two teams looking to consolidate their campaigns in a competitive top-flight schedule. The outcome — a 1-1 draw — reflected a tight, scrappy contest and offered insight into both clubs’ current form and resilience.

Main body — Key events and match details

Match events

The match finished Nottingham Forest 1, Crystal Palace 1. The decisive moments came either side of half-time. Crystal Palace were awarded a penalty in added time at the end of the first half; Ismaïla Sarr converted the spot-kick at 45’+2′, firing a right-footed shot down the centre to level the score. That finish cancelled out Forest’s earlier goal and set up a tense second half.

Forest response and resilience

Nottingham Forest were forced to play with a numerical disadvantage for over half the match, reduced to ten men for a substantial period. Despite being a player short, the hosts showed determination and organisation to keep Crystal Palace at bay. The 10-man Forest managed to hold on and secure a point in what has been described as a scrappy encounter, underlining their defensive discipline after the dismissal.

Match character

Overall, the game was characterised by tight margins and limited clear-cut chances. The penalty and the sending-off proved decisive in shaping the contest, with both sides ultimately left to reflect on the opportunity to take all three points.

Conclusion — Significance and outlook

The 1-1 draw between nottm forest vs crystal palace delivers a point apiece and highlights contrasting narratives: Palace benefited from Sarr’s calm penalty finish, while Forest demonstrated resilience when reduced to ten players. For supporters, the result is likely to be seen in terms of momentum — a relief for hosts who avoided defeat despite their disadvantage, and a missed chance for Palace to secure maximum points on the road. Looking ahead, both teams will aim to build on the positives from this fixture as the Premier League season progresses.